CONSIGLIO LIFTS BASEBALL PAST ROGER WILLIAMS, 3-2

BROCKTON, MA - Sophomore shortstop Matt Consiglio (Southbury, CT) connected on a two-RBI double in the eighth inning to lead the University of Massachusetts Boston baseball team over Roger Williams University, 3-2, Tuesday afternoon at Campanelli Stadium. With the victory, the Beacons improve to 14-15 on the season while the Hawks falls to 20-18 overall.

Trailing 2-1 heading into the bottom of the eighth, junior third baseman Mike Mattei (Spencer, MA) got things started by reaching base to lead off the frame when he was hit by pitch. On a hit and run play, senior second baseman Ryan Walsh (Newton, MA) singled up the middle to put runners at the corners with one out. Senior first baseman Connor Reinfurt (Manchester, NH) followed in up with a walk to load the bases for Consiglio who ripped an 0-2 pitch down the right field line to plate Mattei and Walsh, giving the Beacons the 3-2 edge. That would prove to be enough as sophomore pitcher Daniel Heefner (Tracy, CA) came on to work a perfect ninth inning, for his fourth save of the season.

The Hawks struck first, plating a pair of runs in the top of the sixth inning on three hits to take a 2-0 lead. Junior DH Trevor Manzi (Beverly, MA) got things started with a single to right center and advanced to third following another single by sophomore shortstop John Oppenhimer (Westport, CT) with the hit and run play on. Senior left fielder Zach Porter (Middleboro, MA) delivered the big blow with an RBI double down the left field line to drive in Manzi and move Oppenhimer to third. Oppenhimer would cross the plate following a wild pitch before UMB freshman pitcher Will Barrack (Lancaster, VA) was able to retire the side.

UMass Boston cut the lead in half with a run in the bottom of the seventh to make it a 2-1 game. Sophomore left fielder Nick Grassetti (Agawam, MA) reached base via a fielder's choice and advanced to second following a Hawks throwing error. Freshman pinch hitter Taylor Kapulka (Worcester, MA) then connected on a double to left to drive home Grassetti and put UMB in the scoring column.

The Beacons looked poised to open the games scoring in the fourth inning as Walsh led off with a single to centerfield. Reinfurt followed up with a walk to put two on with no out for UMass Boston. Up next, Consiglio attempted to lay down a sacrifice bunt but popped it up in the direction of the mound. Senior pitcher P.J. Gouthro (Walpole, MA) appeared to make a sliding catch but the ball came ajar as his glove hit the ground. The initial catch caused both Walsh and Reinfurt to hold up from advancing which ultimately resulted in a 3-5-4 double play, ending the scoring threat.

In the second inning, the Hawks loaded the bases with no outs but Barrack was able to work his way out of the jam by striking out the side to strand the bags juiced and avoid any damage.

For UMass Boston, Barrack threw well notching his second consecutive quality start, allowing just the two runs on five hits through 6+ innings of work while striking out four. Sophomore Dan Gambill (Lake Worth, FL) earned the win in relief, working the seventh and eighth innings, surrendering only one hit in the outing to improve to 3-1 on the year. Gouthro, who did not factor into the decision, pitched well for Roger Williams tossing 6.0 innings of scoreless ball while striking out eight. Senior Eric Brown (Walpole, MA) suffered the loss for the Hawks and falls to 0-2 on the year.

The Beacons will be back in action tomorrow, April 27 when they head to Milton, MA to face Curry College in a 3:30 p.m. contest while Roger Williams returns to the diamond on April 30 when they wrap up their regular season when they host New England College in a CCC doubleheader beginning at 11:00 a.m.